N.Korean imports of Chinese grain up in 2011

North Korea increased its imports of grain from China last year despite an improved harvest, a South Korean researcher said Wednesday, indicating an apparent attempt to ensure a successful celebration of the North's milestone anniversary this year.

North Korea bought 376,431 tons of grain from its neighbor last year, 20 per cent more than its purchases of 313,695 tons in 2010, according to Kwon Tae-jin, a North Korea expert at the Korea Rural Economic Institute in Seoul.

In the fourth quarter alone, North Korea imported 125,700 tons of grain from China, up more than 20 per cent from the same period the previous year, Kwon wrote on his blog, citing data from the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) and other sources.

The increases were unusual as they came despite a larger harvest last fall, he noted.

The stockpile of imported grain is seen as a means to appease the impoverished North Korean people as the Pyongyang regime seeks to become a "strong and prosperous nation" this year, to coincide with the centennial of the birth of national founder Kim Il-sung, grandfather of current leader Kim Jong-un.

Corn accounted for the largest share of the grain by type at 36.1 per cent, followed by flour at 33.2 per cent, rice at 24.5 per cent and beans at 5.4 per cent, Kwon said. The most notable change was the jump in the share of corn from 27.9 per cent in 2010.

The imports cost North Korea US$166.2 million last year, up 44.3 per cent from $115.2 million in 2010.

China, North Korea's largest ally and benefactor, has propped up the North's economy by providing food and other aid despite frequent international sanctions against the nuclear-armed Pyongyang regime.

The North has relied on international handouts since the late 1990s when it suffered a massive famine that was estimated to have killed 2 million people.

Earlier this week, Japan's Tokyo Shimbun newspaper reported China pledged to provide 500,000 tons of food and 250,000 tons of crude oil to the North following the Dec. 17 death of former leader Kim Jong-il.

The decision came a day after the North announced Kim's sudden demise and was designed to help his son, new leader Kim Jong-un, stabilize the country, the newspaper said, citing unidentified Chinese and North Korean sources.


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